Backgrounder

We have not seen the full political fallout of the police scandal

The detention of former National Police chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo on allegations of illegal wiretapping has become one of the most consequential political scandals in recent Indonesian history. Yet the country has probably not seen its full fallout. If anything, the affair is only beginning to reveal how deeply police power penetrated the political system and how weak oversight and accountability have become.

Indonesia, Singapore’s ties hit another diplomatic rough patch

Lemigas: Streamlining energy imports or shifting power?

The government plans to shift energy import procurement from Pertamina to the Oil and Gas Testing Center, or Lemigas, a public service agency (BLU) under the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry. The move could reshape control over the country's lucrative energy trade. The government argues that direct negotiations with supplier countries will speed up procurement, eliminate intermediaries and secure supplies, but will the new arrangement bring greater transparency and a shorter supply chain or merely add another industry player?

Edition

October 30, 2026

The Prabowo-Gibran government is clearly falling short

Two years into their five-year mandate, President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka face mounting public dissatisfaction. Widespread protests and falling survey indicators point to deepening frustration over the administration's performance.

Censorship by proxy: Who is really silencing coverage on Indonesian fires?

Indonesia takes backward step with gas export cuts

The government's decision to further reduce natural gas exports to Singapore may strengthen domestic energy supplies, but it risks undermining the country's credibility as a reliable trading partner. The move, justified on energy security grounds, could unsettle investors, strain relations with Singapore and weaken ASEAN's efforts to build an integrated regional energy market.

Edition

October 23, 2026

Prabowo’s security shuffles: Lining up loyalists pre-2029

Nearly two years into his presidency, President Prabowo Subianto has moved decisively to tighten his grip on Indonesia's two most powerful security institutions. A series of leadership changes at the National Police (Polri) and the Indonesian Military (TNI) this month have systematically reduced the residual influence of former president Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's administration, realigning internal loyalties and strengthening presidential authority for the remainder of his term toward the 2029 elections.

Pinpointing corporate culprits behind Indonesia’s wildfires

PLN leadership shift signals solar ambitions, but challenges remain

The appointment of Suroso Isnandar as president director of state-owned electricity company PT PLN comes as the government steps up efforts to deliver its ambitious 100 GWp solar power program. Having previously overseen renewable energy projects at PLN, Suroso is well positioned to lead the initiative, which is reinforced by the establishment of the Coordinating Ministry for Downstreaming and Energy Transition. However, delivering the program within its three-year timeline will be challenging.

Edition

October 16, 2026

Gibran won’t be impeached, but that’s not the point

The controversy surrounding Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has entered a new phase. Criticism of how he reached office is increasingly channeled into talk of impeachment. Paradoxically, the more it is discussed, the less likely it seems to happen. The mechanism exists, but the politics suggest its impact will be symbolic rather than institutional.

Forest fires prove governance failures have gone too far

Who pays when Indonesia’s tax ambitions fall short?

With three months left in the year, Indonesia has collected barely two-thirds of its annual tax target. The government now faces an uncomfortable choice over how aggressively to pursue the remainder and where to restrain spending. Every effort to balance the books carries consequences for businesses and people who depend on public services. Who will bear the cost if the government's revenue ambitions exceed its capacity to collect?